Threads bunching up on your machine...

It happens to everyone, not just novice sewers. I think that's a common misconception for beginners...thinking that they're messing up, however it does happen to us all, you just have to know what to do and what to look for and it won't feel like a big problem anymore!

I've heard it called 'bird nesting' and it seems like a good description, it can happen on the underneath and the top of your fabric.

When your thread is bunching up on the top of your fabric the problem has to do with you bobbin.

Check the following before calling for help....

* Is the bobbin threaded properly?

Take the bobbin out of the casing and re thread making sure you follow the instructions for your brand of machine. The direction the bobbin winds does depend on the type of casing. Top loaders are the opposite to bottom loaders.

Make sure there is some bobbin tension, if when you hold the case and pull the thread the bobbin flies out, your thread may have missed the tension spring.

*Is the needle threaded correctly?

Always re thread starting from the very start, by the spool. Make sure it's going through all the tension disks and threaded as your manual asks. Missing one little hook DOES make a difference!

* Is the machine clean?

A build up of lint dust in the bobbin or where the needle dips down can be a problem. It's worth having a little paint brush with your machines bits n bobs for dusting out with.

* Was the presser foot down?

Doh, we've all done it!

And lastly...

*Is the bobbin case tension too loose?

There's a little screw in the case which creates the tension, normally this should be left alone but they do undo sometimes and need a little tighten. Occasionally they will need replacing. If it does need to be tightened, move it in very small turns at a time. Bobbin tensions are set correctly when made, so shouldn't have to be turned very often and certainly not as a first call.

Hopefully this will help you get to grips with your machine and give you confidence for happy sewing!